KTT Mint vs. Outemu Silent Ocean
An in-depth look at the KTT Mint and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, two popular linear options are the KTT Mint and the Outemu Silent Ocean. The Mint is praised for its smooth linear feel, offering a satisfying typing experience with a poppy thockiness due to its long pole stem. It provides a light and fleeting type feel, making it a great choice for those who prefer a low-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished switch. On the other hand, the Silent Ocean from Outemu is known for its silent operation, making it a great option for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the KTT Mint and Outemu Silent Ocean keyboards feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the material. The translucency of polycarbonate is especially beneficial for switches with RGB lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetic. Despite both keyboards sharing this housing material, they may produce slightly different sound profiles based on other components of the switch.
On the other hand, both the Mint and Silent Ocean keyboards have nylon bottom housings, which result in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the material's softer nature that absorbs more sound. This creates a duller and rounder sound compared to the sharper sound produced by the polycarbonate top housing. The bottom housing material can significantly impact the bottom-out sound and feel when typing on the keyboard.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in mechanical keyboards plays a crucial role in determining the sound profile and feel of typing. While both the KTT Mint and Outemu Silent Ocean keyboards utilize polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing, they may still offer slightly varying typing experiences based on additional factors in their design. Understanding how different materials affect the sound and feel of a keyboard can help users make informed decisions when selecting a mechanical keyboard that aligns with their preferences.
Weight
The KTT Mint linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch have similar actuation forces of 45 grams, making them light to press which can be beneficial for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Mint has a lighter pressure of 53 grams compared to the heavier 65 grams of the Silent Ocean. This means that the Mint would provide a softer landing when fully pressed compared to the Silent Ocean, which may appeal to those who prefer a slightly more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for typing feel and the desired weight of key presses.
Travel distance
Both the KTT Mint linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. The equal travel distance of these two switches ensures that whether you choose the Mint or the Silent Ocean, you will get consistent results in terms of keypress feel. Although they have the same travel distance, they may differ in other aspects such as actuation force, actuation point, and overall typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the KTT Mint comes in at $2.91, whereas the Outemu Silent Ocean comes in at $3.10.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the KTT Mint linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, perfect for those who prefer a bass-heavy and mellow tone with a moderate actuation force requirement. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch's sound qualities are not specified, so it is unknown how they compare to the Mint in this aspect. Keep in mind that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Mint linear switch is known for providing a mild and polished typing experience. This means that users can expect a gentle typing feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel, making for a sleek and refined typing experience. Again, the feel of the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch is not described, so it's unclear how it differs from the Mint in terms of typing sensation.
In conclusion, based on the available information, we can see that the KTT Mint linear switch offers a satisfyingly smooth typing experience with a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, along with a mild and polished feel. As for the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, while details on sound and feel are lacking, it may provide similar results or offer a different typing experience altogether. Ultimately, the best switch for you will depend on your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the KTT Mint linear switch or the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, you should go for the Mint if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force, a satisfyingly smooth typing experience with a poppy thockiness, a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, and a mild and polished feel. On the other hand, opt for the Silent Ocean if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and bottom out force. Each switch offers its own advantages, so make sure to consider what aspects are most important to you when making your decision.
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